Gas Prices Drop Ahead of Thanksgiving Travel Surge

Lowest Holiday Prices Since the Pandemic

As millions of Americans pack their cars and prepare for Thanksgiving travel, they’ll find something rare at the pump: the lowest holiday gas prices since 2020. Analysts at GasBuddy project a national average of $3.02 per gallon, matching last year’s low and marking the most affordable Thanksgiving fuel costs in five years.

The relief comes as welcome news for families navigating a season still shaped by inflation, economic uncertainty, and shifting travel trends. Nearly 60% of Americans plan to travel by car this year, according to GasBuddy — slightly fewer than last year, but still far above pre-pandemic holiday levels.

White House Credits New Energy Policies

The drop in prices is being closely tied to President Trump’s renewed domestic energy agenda. “President Trump’s ‘drill, baby, drill’ agenda is driving down gas prices and providing critical savings to American families,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital. The administration argues that reversing previous restrictions and expanding U.S. production has delivered immediate consumer benefits.

GasBuddy data shows the cheapest gas is overwhelmingly found in Republican-led states, with Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee among the top spots — some dipping as low as $2.49 per gallon. The most expensive gas remains in states such as California and Hawaii, where averages run well above the national norm.

A Shift From the Price Pain of Recent Years

Gas prices reached U.S. record highs in 2022 amid global conflict, supply constraints, and pandemic aftershocks. Today’s holiday relief reflects a dramatically different energy landscape.

With President Trump’s energy executive orders now in effect — and promises of gas “soon” dropping to $2 per gallon — drivers could see extended savings heading into winter.